tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75735011969882780992018-10-29T09:20:28.638+00:00Fantasy MuseA blog about fantasy booksFantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-31010692875278687632018-09-23T19:58:00.001+01:002018-09-23T19:58:55.255+01:00A Gathering of Fools <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gathering-Fools-Vensille-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B079CKDLVB?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Gathering of Fools (Vensille Saga Book 1) by James Evans (author)</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gathering-Fools-Vensille-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B079CKDLVB?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOhfFRH5QVw/W6dzImpR0OI/AAAAAAAAC0U/Fy02gpodQLcV9NxK5a7Ynv9EtepfqXugwCLcBGAs/s320/51iiP-eoIZL.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A loyal soldier betrayed. A kingdom full of enemies. Can he clear his name and unchain his magic before the Empire cuts him down?</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marrinek lost everything in an instant. Framed for a crime he didn't commit, the faithful courtier spent two years in prison before a sudden, near-lethal escape. Hunted by his own former allies, the double-crossed magic user journeys to reunite with his wife and get revenge on those who deceived him.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiding amongst devious criminals in a seedy underworld, Marrinek unveils a kingdom-wide conspiracy that goes far beyond his own imprisonment. To save all he holds dear and against impossible odds, the soldier must lift the haze from his magic and expose the plot before his enemies strike a fatal blow.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Gathering of Fools is the first book in the Vensille Saga epic fantasy series. If you like magic and mayhem, dark violence, and heroic redemption, then you'll love James Evans’ immersive world.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book follows Marrinek who, after spending almost 2 years locked away for crimes he did not commit, finds himself in a fortunate position to escape. The story then follows as Marrinek attempts to stay free and keep away from his captors.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't read any of the author's other work but the start of the book felt a little disjointed, there were some sentences or words that just didn't read right, and one of my pet peeves is when authors make words more fancier than they should be, but as the novel progressed I'm glad to say that it flowed much better.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The POV changed throughout the book and whilst the main protagonist and his wife were written well, I had little interest in the other characters, I just felt that their segments could have been made more interesting or removed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a magic system in the book with Marrinek being a very talented wielder, and whilst the author explains the system, I&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">honestly</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;can't describe it to you as I'm still not entirely sure how it worked.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After reading this brief review, you're probably thinking I didn't enjoy the book, but I can't say for certain what my thoughts are.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe the biggest indicator yet is that I bought the sequel soon after finishing it, which is mainly down to the well written and exciting ending.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would also like to add that the book cover is one of the better illustrations that I've seen in a long time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars</span></h3><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></h4><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 Stars</span></h4><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>But it here:</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gathering-Fools-Vensille-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B079CKDLVB?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazon UK</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gathering-Fools-Vensille-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B079CKDLVB/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1537728434&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;keywords=a+gathering+of+fools&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-62011476694539652972018-08-10T18:07:00.001+01:002018-08-10T18:07:56.428+01:00The Grey Bastards<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grey-Bastards-Lot-Lands-ebook/dp/B078WDG3DR/ref=pd_cp_351_2?_encoding=UTF8&amp;pd_rd_i=B078WDG3DR&amp;pd_rd_r=970756c6-9cbe-11e8-b46b-556fc065d725&amp;pd_rd_w=HJBgW&amp;pd_rd_wg=6gTLg&amp;pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&amp;pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&amp;pf_rd_p=7339d3b5-9f82-4c8b-a181-d73bf348c7db&amp;pf_rd_r=46A6GN3ZYFPHY22PD41K&amp;pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&amp;pf_rd_t=40701&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=46A6GN3ZYFPHY22PD41K" target="_blank">The Grey Bastards (The Lot Lands) by Jonathan French.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grey-Bastards-Lot-Lands-ebook/dp/B078WDG3DR/ref=pd_cp_351_2?_encoding=UTF8&amp;pd_rd_i=B078WDG3DR&amp;pd_rd_r=970756c6-9cbe-11e8-b46b-556fc065d725&amp;pd_rd_w=HJBgW&amp;pd_rd_wg=6gTLg&amp;pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&amp;pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&amp;pf_rd_p=7339d3b5-9f82-4c8b-a181-d73bf348c7db&amp;pf_rd_r=46A6GN3ZYFPHY22PD41K&amp;pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&amp;pf_rd_t=40701&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=46A6GN3ZYFPHY22PD41K" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_WU7dzKKz4/W2snbK37tuI/AAAAAAAACdM/7y_0uMRM7CAMYQ8L3qIYmcz0iP1PVf5ZwCLcBGAs/s320/51Mrv7Pd9BL._SX316_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="203" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jackal is proud to be a Grey Bastard, member of a sworn brotherhood of half-orcs. Unloved and unwanted in civilized society, the Bastards eke out a hard life in the desolate no-man's-land called the Lots, protecting frail and noble human civilization from invading bands of vicious full-blooded orcs.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as Jackal is soon to learn, his pride may be misplaced. Because a dark secret lies at the heart of the Bastards' existence - one that reveals a horrifying truth behind humanity's tenuous peace with the orcs, and exposes a grave danger on the horizon.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the heels of the ultimate betrayal, Jackal must scramble to stop a devastating invasion - even as he wonders where his true loyalties lie.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An intriguing book that was bought more on a whim than with any great expectations and after finishing the book, I'm glad to say I took that chance.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book focuses on the half-orc Jackal, who is a member of a group of orcs&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(named hoofs)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;called the Grey Bastards, they are very akin to tribes / biker gangs and there are several other half orc tribes that all reside in a barren place called the Lot Lands.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story follows Jackal as he struggles to survive amidst internal politics and infighting as well as trying to save his hoof from potential extinction. He is joined as well by his two best friends; Oats, and Fetch - who is the only female member of the the Grey Bastards.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Admittedly I wasn't quite sure about the book and the start of the story felt a bit slow in regard to pace but roughly half way through the book the story really kicks off, finishing with a dramatic and enjoyable ending.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should also add that I thought the characters were&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">well&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">written, with good depth added to not only the main protagonist but also to the secondary characters.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very good read that leaves the book open for further sequels which I will certainly be keeping an eye on, whilst the book started off a little clumsily, the author finished it with a flourish.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grey-Bastards-Lot-Lands-ebook/dp/B078WDG3DR/ref=pd_cp_351_2?_encoding=UTF8&amp;pd_rd_i=B078WDG3DR&amp;pd_rd_r=970756c6-9cbe-11e8-b46b-556fc065d725&amp;pd_rd_w=HJBgW&amp;pd_rd_wg=6gTLg&amp;pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&amp;pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&amp;pf_rd_p=7339d3b5-9f82-4c8b-a181-d73bf348c7db&amp;pf_rd_r=46A6GN3ZYFPHY22PD41K&amp;pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&amp;pf_rd_t=40701&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=46A6GN3ZYFPHY22PD41K" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Grey-Bastards-Lot-Lands-ebook/dp/B078WDG3DR/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-86148031613559216142018-06-26T19:42:00.001+01:002018-06-26T19:42:19.451+01:00When Crickets Cry<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Crickets-Cry-Charles-Martin-ebook/dp/B004S7XCTW/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">When Crickets Cry By: Charles Martin</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Crickets-Cry-Charles-Martin-ebook/dp/B004S7XCTW/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5flCymAJZpM/WzJ2BJHMxHI/AAAAAAAACVk/DtUSRyN85xM9y3Tn-qlP3xPAS2MFq69KgCLcBGAs/s320/5180slT14iL._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A man with a painful past. A child with a doubtful future. And a shared journey toward healing for both their hearts....</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl’s pretty yellow dress can’t quite hide the ugly scar on her chest. The stranger understands more about it than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives. Before it’s over, they’ll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry... and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, so this another non-fantasy book that I'll be reviewing - sorry about that - it wasn't intentional but after thoroughly enjoying 'Send Down Rain' by the same author, I just couldn't help myself and read another of his books.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story follows, Reece, who used to be a brilliant heart surgeon, but after having suffered an emotional heartbreak, he now lives the life as a semi-hermit carpenter&nbsp;(I say semi, as he's not totally isolated and lives with his brother in-law). However, one day whilst he's visiting&nbsp;his local town he meets a young girl selling lemonade, the encounter changes the course of both of their lives.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the second book I've read from this author and I have to applaud his storytelling, Charles Martin writes with so much depth and feeling that he makes you actually care for the characters. He paints such a vivid picture that you feel like you're there with the characters.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a religious or should I say spiritual undercurrent throughout the book, I'm not someone who enjoys a religious theme in their books, however saying that, I honestly&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">didn't feel it detracted from the story, but I would understand if others felt differently.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A slight criticism from me would be that at times the author tended to over elaborate, particularly with the medical information, but was not a major issue for me, as the book was about heart surgery.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A beautifully written story that depicts what life is all about - joy, sadness, pain, regret, redemption, love - this book had it all.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></h4><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Crickets-Cry-Charles-Martin-ebook/dp/B004S7XCTW/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Crickets-Cry-Charles-Martin-ebook/dp/B004S7XCTW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-45258951070284744382018-05-26T18:25:00.000+01:002018-05-26T18:25:09.028+01:00Send Down the Rain<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Send-Down-Rain-Mountains-bestseller-ebook/dp/B072TN1NF2" target="_blank">Send Down the Rain By: Charles Martin.</a></span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Send-Down-Rain-Mountains-bestseller-ebook/dp/B072TN1NF2" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5UjYL29c0Wg/WwkYz2eKv-I/AAAAAAAACNU/dzzTlhnkzVkIzWeK81HKci0P6ka-qBm4gCLcBGAs/s320/51uyXQ0If%252BL.jpg" width="209" /></a></span></div><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Allie is still recovering from the loss of her family’s beloved waterfront restaurant on Florida’s Gulf Coast when she loses her second husband to a terrifying highway accident. Devastated and losing hope, she shudders to contemplate the future—until a cherished person from her past returns.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Joseph has been adrift for many years, wounded in both body and spirit and unable to come to terms with the trauma of his Vietnam War experiences. Just as he resolves to abandon his search for peace and live alone at a remote cabin in the Carolina mountains, he discovers a mother and her two small children lost in the forest. A man of character and strength, he instinctively steps in to help them get back to their home in Florida. There he will return to his own hometown—and witness the accident that launches a bittersweet reunion with his childhood sweetheart, Allie.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When Joseph offers to help Allie rebuild her restaurant, it seems the flame may reignite—until a 45-year-old secret from the past begins to emerge, threatening to destroy all hope for their second chance at love.</span></blockquote><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">&nbsp;</blockquote><br /> <h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ok, I know this blog is called 'Fantasy Muse' but fantasy isn't the only genre that I read, and I enjoy widening my scope now and again to include fiction, sci-fi, romance, and classics.&nbsp; Sometimes it does get a bit stale reading the same stuff again and again, and so I enjoy varying it up.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My next review is about Send Down The Rain by Charles Martin - author of The Mountain Between Us: Now a film starring Idris Elba and Kate Winslet). Admittedly I hadn't seen the film, and I hadn't read any books from the author, so what drew me in was the storyline - I guess I'm a sucker for the lonely, isolated protagonist.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The story follows Joseph (Jo Jo), a 62 year old, grizzled war veteran, who lives in isolation after a life of hardship and torment.&nbsp; After rescuing a young woman and her children, he finds himself back in his hometown, Florida, where he meets his childhood friend,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Allie,</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;again.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Allie, has also led a difficult life, and is mourning her second husband who had just been killed in a crash.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Both find each other at a precarious point in their lives and old, forgotten feelings soon rekindle from dying embers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Charles Martin writes a tale that is simple and yet complex, and filled with meaning.&nbsp; He uses uncomplicated words and sentences, but somehow weaves a story that is rich with brilliant character development.&nbsp; You can't help but find yourself getting drawn in to Jo and Allie's struggle to find happiness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There is a lot of reminiscing about the past from Joseph which I felt added to the story, instead of making it more tedious.&nbsp; There is a few twists in the plot which I honestly didn't expect, and whilst a little surreal, they served their purpose and kept me riveted to the book.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The actual romance between Joe and Allie, felt a little instantaneous at first, but as the plot furthered you understood why - they complimented each other.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There's an overall theme of remorse and forgiveness painted throughout the book which Martin evokes quite vividly.&nbsp; It couldn't help but stir in me the message that life should be lived on a gamble and not filled with regret.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion&nbsp;</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A book that is packed with substance, an endearing romance, plot twists and action (that includes Mexican cartels).</span><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Simply put, f</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">or those who enjoy a good tale, then I can't recommend this book highly enough.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></h4><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">9 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Send-Down-Rain-Mountains-bestseller-ebook/dp/B072TN1NF2" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Send-Down-Rain-Mountains-bestseller-ebook/dp/B072TN1NF2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-50520931216874511742018-04-28T09:36:00.001+01:002018-04-28T09:36:20.875+01:00The Great Hearts<div class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Hearts-swords-sorcery-fantasy-ebook/dp/B0716Z363W?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank">The Great Hearts: A swords &amp; sorcery fantasy epic by David Oliver&nbsp;</a></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Hearts-swords-sorcery-fantasy-ebook/dp/B0716Z363W?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiJNx1xjVKA/WuNPhjHBxiI/AAAAAAAACHA/1MhHrsy7qhALNMX7DA3ApCTSVWTITZxZQCLcBGAs/s320/51l36VE2mxL.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Imperator. A word synonymous with fear, pain, loathing and, for a chosen few, the sharp end of a blade. The voice of the Emperor, an Imperator is the perfect weapon, skilled in combat, politics and strategy and moulded by years of punishing training. They are the hidden assassins, the enforcers of the Emperor’s will.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">They are the hunters of the unknown.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Calidan Darkheart is an Imperator, a self-professed killer and an adept hunter of the creatures that most citizens of the Empire do not realise exist.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Together with his hulking companion Cassius, he hunts the beast that slaughtered their home village.&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Pity those who find themselves in their path.&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Calidan and Cassius were bright young boys, living peaceful, happy lives in a remote mountain village, until the day everything changed. Once the screams have subsided, and with the horrors they have seen embedded in their minds, they embark on a journey of survival, fraught with danger, strange magic and dark deeds. Unbowing and undaunted they push forward, striving for power, making lifelong friendships along the way, and above all else, discovering the truth behind the magnificent, mythical Great Hearts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Young Calidan is a boy full of hope and courage, driven by the past but not ruled by it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Old Calidan is a bitter and twisted killer of monsters and men, his past haunting his dreams.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This is his story.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">After reading the blurb, it got me excited, more than most books I've read recently, and while I can say I'm looking forward to the 2nd book, my initial level of excitement didn't quite materialise into the same level of enjoyment.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The story is about 2 boys living in a tribal village, whereby they are suddenly attacked by a band of ruthless killers. Their entire village is slaughtered, but the 2 boys manage to escape. Through luck and skill they survive, and the rest of the</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;story follows their path to revenge as they grow and become stronger.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The book is told in a journal type format, similar to The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I don't normally enjoy those type of books, but this books does a good job in blending the past with the present, and it wasn't totally focused on the past.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The first half the book had me hooked and I couldn't stop reading. It had been awhile since I was so engrossed in a book and so I was a little disappointed that the 2nd portion of the book didn't continue in the same rich form.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I'm not saying it was a dramatic fall in quality but I felt the storyline shifted in a wholly different tangent which I didn't expect or admittedly enjoy. I don't want to spoil it but to say that for me it just didn't work for me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Another reason was that I couldn't quite fathom the tone of the book; the story started very dark and graphic, which I thought set the tone for the rest of the book, but then it shifted to almost child like innocence for majority of the book, with the occasional dramatic shift in maturity, I have to say it left me confused - like reading Harry Potter mixed with Game of Thrones.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I thought the characterisation of both boys were done really well, and as it was told in Calidan's first person you got a real sense of his character and his special relationship with his 'cat', Seya, who I thought pretty much stole the show (if you're a cat person then you'll enjoy this book).</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A very well written book&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">and despite my issues with the story, it was still enjoyable and w</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ell worth a read.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="color: orange; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">8 Stars</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Hearts-swords-sorcery-fantasy-ebook/dp/B0716Z363W?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Hearts-swords-sorcery-fantasy-ebook/dp/B0716Z363W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-74360779157813399832018-04-21T10:52:00.001+01:002018-04-21T10:52:31.914+01:00ONSET: Stay of Execution<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/ONSET-Stay-Execution-Glynn-Stewart-ebook/dp/B079391WFR?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank">ONSET: Stay of Execution by Glynn Stewart.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/ONSET-Stay-Execution-Glynn-Stewart-ebook/dp/B079391WFR?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VhTZU8tXpE/WtsDwrWzN-I/AAAAAAAACC4/OgSiCQgmZ2EtGBxQdo1XIWut0a5BDurLwCLcBGAs/s320/51hifeP2GtL.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Vampire War is over.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The United States is reeling.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Masquerade is fragmenting.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Apocalypse is here…</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The long and bloody war with the vampires in the United States has finally ended, thanks to the efforts of the vampire Arbiter and ONSET Commander David White—and a nuclear explosion on American soil.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final battle proves harder to conceal than hoped, however, and a series of high profile incidents end any chance of hiding the supernatural. Suddenly the world is faced with the fact that it is both more wonderful and more terrible than humanity ever realized.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as the US Government struggles to adapt to this new reality, old enemies have set into motion plans that could render humanity’s struggles irrelevant. There are those beyond the Seal who were once Gods…and they want their planet back!</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the fourth book in the series and for those who haven't read the other proceeding books then this review will probably leave you lost.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a big fan of Glynn Stewart's Onset series and after the ending of the third book, I was excited to continue the story.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fourth instalment picks up immediately from the third and Commander White continues to be as resolute and heroic as any superhero.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a rather big shift in trajectory from the other books in that the whole world have come to learn that the supernatural exist and the story deals with the fall out of such discovery and there's also a small thing about an impending apocalypse.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst the book is around 300 odd pages long, there is a huge amount of things going on, and the plot never rests. Whilst that made it a quick read, I didn't quite get the same level of enjoyment as the other books. The main reason being that there I didn't feel there was enough depth to the storyline and characterisation - which I can understand given the frantic pace of the book - and in the end it felt slightly hollow to me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I really hope that Glynn Stewart continues the series as there is so much potential in terms of storyline.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've read the other books in the series then I don't even need to sell it to you. Whilst not Stewart's best, it still sits comfortably better than most other supernatural books.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who haven't read the Onset series, and you're a fan of urban fantasy, then you're missing out on a collection of books that are fun, action packed, filled with heroic characters and provides that little escapism that we are looking for.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars</span></h3><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></h4><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/ONSET-Stay-Execution-Glynn-Stewart-ebook/dp/B079391WFR?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/ONSET-Stay-Execution-Glynn-Stewart-ebook/dp/B079391WFR/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-18653878165233451722018-03-03T09:17:00.000+00:002018-03-03T09:17:06.239+00:00Reaper's Awakening<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reapers-Awakening-Book-Essence-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B07918QWF4?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank">Reaper's Awakening: Book One of The Essence Chronicles by Jacob Peppers.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reapers-Awakening-Book-Essence-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B07918QWF4?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S_O-TBx4vJ4/Wppl8jXhqtI/AAAAAAAABoc/MoEifa0cAwsq4by8z1AIABv_b6wL5RIDwCLcBGAs/s320/51mv193Al4L.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cameron Shale is a Harvester, an agent of the Church whose duty is to save the kingdom’s people by gathering the essence of those chosen to be sacrificed. He does his saving not with a surgeon’s knowledge, or a Priest’s prayers, but with the sword. They call him a murderer. They call him the Reaper. His kind are hated—and he more than the rest—but they are also necessary.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For there is evil waiting, a plague ready to wipe out all those in its path, and it is only with the essences of those sacrificed that it is held at bay. They survived it once. They will not survive it again. But when a shadowy figure known only as Memory emerges leading a rebellion against the Church and king, Cameron is forced to ask questions about a past that has haunted him his entire life. The kind of questions that can only be asked with steel. The kind that can only be answered in blood.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An interesting sounding story, and generally I thought the book was good, not excellent but good, with potential.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story follow Cameron Shale, a Harvester, who works for the Church to do their deed. At the start of the story, Cameron is a stoic, devout and loyal man to the Church, but as the book progresses, doubt begins to grow.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought the story was interesting, but admittedly a little confusing to follow initially. The pieces did come together near the end. The main protagonist, Cameron, was done well, and his character was defined, but I did feel the other characters were less so.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall I thought the book has potential and I enjoyed the twists in the story. The ending sets up nicely for the sequel which I will be keeping an eye on.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6 Stars</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reapers-Awakening-Book-Essence-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B07918QWF4?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B07918QWF4/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_cmps_btm?ie=UTF8&amp;reviewerType=all_reviews" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-42658254828433384352018-01-21T13:09:00.000+00:002018-01-21T13:09:04.806+00:00The Son of the Morning<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Son-Morning-Book-Nightfall-Wars-ebook/dp/B0771LRN5D/ref=la_B07664BDWK_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1516538771&amp;sr=1-2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Son of the Morning: Book One of The Nightfall Wars </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">by Jacob Peppers.</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Son-Morning-Book-Nightfall-Wars-ebook/dp/B0771LRN5D/ref=la_B07664BDWK_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1516538771&amp;sr=1-2" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FvB2jOWPWI/WmSE6Vb9OrI/AAAAAAAABU8/Q9watBeUj_Apcn-qDkED3qHFkEQRPNHfACLcBGAs/s320/51nSmPCU2bL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Fifty years ago, the nightwalkers appeared, creatures of shadow and darkness, thirsting for blood and death. Thousands died and the kingdom of Entarna was brought to its knees. Then the Chosen came, six men and women endowed with powers by Amedan, the God of Fire and Light. The Chosen joined with the kingdom’s armies and together they managed to defeat the night’s creatures. At least for a time.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Alesh, servant to Chosen Olliman, the greatest of Amedan’s priests, knows well what the darkness holds. He saw it, as a child, when his father and mother were killed, and he was left with a blackened, festering scar that refuses to heal.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The day wanes and the night comes again, but when those chosen to protect the kingdom are unable or unwilling to help, when the fellowships of the past have crumbled, it is left to an orphaned servant—a man many believe to be cursed—to stand against the rising darkness.</span></blockquote><div><br /></div><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My second review of the year, and in quick succession too, I guess I must be on a roll.......anyway on to the review.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This book in many ways reminds me of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Painted Man&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Novel by Peter V. Brett.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The premise is very similar for those who have read the book, in that once night fall descends, monsters begin to roam the land and the only defence&nbsp;is light.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The main protagonist is called Alesh, who is an apprentice / servant to a powerful priest, called Olliman. The story starts of fine but really picks up once the city revolts. After that the pace quickens and you fly through the pages with action.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are two other main characters, and their POV switch often, which stunted my enjoyment a little bit at first, but the pieces started to come together near the end and you got that 'a-ha' moment.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A word of warning, the book is deceptively - for me at least&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- more violent than I had assumed, but I liked that, it wasn't the tasteless violence you see in books nowadays, but rather added a mature edge to it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait for the sequel. If you're looking for a darker fantasy, with an interesting story that's similar to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Painted Man&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Novel by Peter V. Brett, then this is a must read.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><h4><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;">8 Stars</span></span></h4><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Son-Morning-Book-Nightfall-Wars-ebook/dp/B0771LRN5D/ref=la_B07664BDWK_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1516538771&amp;sr=1-2" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Son-Morning-Book-Nightfall-Wars-ebook/dp/B0771LRN5D/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></blockquote>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-32765351892173232292018-01-14T19:52:00.001+00:002018-01-14T19:52:24.162+00:00Lady of the Forest: Robin Hood & Marian<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lady-Forest-Robin-Hood-Marian/dp/B00NYRKVYG/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" target="_blank">Lady of the Forest: Robin Hood &amp; Marian, Book 1 by Jennifer Roberson</a></span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lady-Forest-Robin-Hood-Marian/dp/B00NYRKVYG/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLaSakKvRWU/WlugoQWBY7I/AAAAAAAABTk/zYT_90G24KY23uhFFGd6WcAVQ76iWsXbgCLcBGAs/s320/61WPYBfmd%252BL._AA300_.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As the gates of Ravenskeep swing open and a young woman flees into the primeval depths of Sherwood Forest and into the arms of the man she loves, a saga of exceptional power and remarkable passion begins...</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">He is Sir Robery Locksley - the heroic nobleman who has turned his back on all he knows to embark on a dangerous quest for justice in an England torn apart by treachery, betrayal, and war.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">She is Lady Marian of Ravenskeep - the proud, defiant knight's daughter who leaves her sheltered life behind to join a shadowy band of outlaws who follow no law but their own.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Robin Hood and Maid Marian - their love has belonged to legend for centuries, and now it belongs to us all, stunningly brought to life by the masterful pen of a truly gifted storyteller. Against a medieval tapestry of color and pageantry, Jennifer Roberson has woven a rich, sweeping tale of a woman whose courage and passion could forever alter the destiny of that mist-shrouded land of lore we know in our hearts and see in our dreams.</span></blockquote><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I am a little embarrassed that I haven't posted since July of last year. All I can say is that I've been busy and also a part of me wanted a break, but I am back and hoping to post at least once a month.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">And so moving on to the book. I've always been interested in the famous tale of Robin Hood (I've watched the Kevin Costner film a few times) and Jennifer Roberson is the author of one of my favourite books, Tiger and Del, and so it seemed like a match made in heaven.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Unfortunately it didn't quite end up like that.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The story follows Robin (Robert of Locksley), who has returned from imprisonment by Saxons whilst on crusade and Marian, who has just learned about her father's death who was also on crusade.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The book has other familiar characters, Sheriff of Nottingham DeLacey, Guy Gisbourne, Big John, Friar Tuck etc.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The biggest gripe that I have with the book, is how much inconsequential words flood this book to make it 600 odd pages long. I struggled to read through it, as every characters thoughts and actions were described in painstaking detail. Roberson also structured the book so multiple POV were exchanged within the same passage of text, which just adds to the intricate book.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As a result the plot seemed relatively short and by the end of the book, I felt that not a lot had happened.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It wasn't all bad, and if you take away all the flowery passages then you are left with a half decent book, that despite all the faults I've just described kept me hooked to the end. Jennifer Roberson is without doubt a talented author and I am sure I will read more books from her.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So my advice; if you are a desperate Robin Hood fan, then this book will offer you some pleasure, but otherwise, one to miss.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>5 Stars</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lady-Forest-Robin-Hood-Marian/dp/B00NYRKVYG/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-2981343879174958772017-07-29T11:38:00.003+01:002017-07-29T11:38:57.682+01:00Madness in Solidar<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MLL71XK/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Madness in Solidar: The Ninth Novel in the Bestselling Imager Portfolio (The Imager Portfolio Book 9) by L. E. Modesitt Jr.</a> &nbsp;</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MLL71XK/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="337" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbUwshZARTc/WXxgwMaJ-qI/AAAAAAAABAI/8EqkQzUuBD046xrsZ_qhe4c3lhE7qQMLQCLcBGAs/s320/51WW%252Bdm9CIL.jpg" width="215" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Four centuries after its founding, Solidar's Collegium of Imagers is in decline, the exploits of its founder, the legendary Quaeryt, largely forgotten. The Collegium is so lacking in leadership that the dying Maitre must summon Alastar, an obscure but talented senior imager from Westisle far to the south who has little knowledge of politics in the capital, as his successor. When Alastar arrives in L'Excelsis and becomes the new Maitre, he finds disarray and lack of discipline within the Collegium, and the ruler of Solidar so hated by the High Holders that they openly refer to him as being mad. To make matters worse, neither Rex Ryen, ridiculed as Rex Dafou, nor the High Holders have any respect for the Collegium, and Alastar finds himself in the middle of a power struggle, with Ryen demanding that the Collegium remove the strongest High Holders and the military leadership in turn plotting to topple Ryen and destroy the Collegium. At the same time, Ryen is demanding the High Holders pay a massive increase in taxes while he initiates a grandiose building project. And all that, Alastar discovers, is only a fraction of the problems he and the Collegium face.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Imager Portfolio</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#1 Imager / #2 Imager’s Challenge / #3 Imager’s Intrigue / #4 Scholar / #5 Princeps / #6 Imager’s Battalion / #7 Antiagon Fire / #8 Rex Regis / #9 Madness in Solidar / #10 Treachery’s Tools / #11 Assassin’s Price</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review&nbsp;</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L. E. Modesitt Jr. &nbsp;is without doubt one of my favourite authors, I have read many, not all admittedly, but many of his works and although, if you are familiar with his books, they are all mostly rather formulaic in structure and plot, but it is a formula that I can never get bored off. It's a formula that is the reason why I first began my love of fantasy - the hero against all odds, uses wit, power and courage to triumph against evil, oh and gets the girl in the end.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Madness in Solidar follows in the same captivating structure and follows Alastar, who becomes the new leader of the Collegium of Imagers (the ability to create items by focusing their imagination and willpower) at a point where the Collegium is a mess and on the verge of ruin, and more importantly&nbsp;so is the kingdom.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alastar is tasked by the kingdoms ruler, Rex Ryen, to convince the High Council of Holders (land owners) and the factors (traders) to a tariff increase, so effectively an increase in tax.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alastar is unfortunately in the unenviable position of dealing with the abject state of the Collegium he was inherited with, the arrogance and greed of the High Holders and Factors, and the erratic, approaching on the crazed behaviour of the ruler Rex Ryen.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In short, it's a frothing cauldron, on the precipice disaster.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who have never read his works, L E Modesitt has a rather unique writing style, and if I had a single word to describe it, it would be - <i>mature.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to say boring, but Modesitt stories are never simple, but weaved from layers of intrigue, mystery and complexity. There is also a moral learning lesson behind his words.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His main character's are always thought provoking and intelligent, and Alastar is not different in that sense but he is slightly older than Modesitt's other books. The advantage of that is that Alastar is not second guessing&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">himself&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his powers and is confident in who he is and what he can do. I liked Alastar's character, particularly the cold ruthlessness he demonstrated once all avenues were closed off.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed this book and I should add it is not necessary to have read the other Imager books in order to follow the story, as it can stand on its own, but it may broaden your reading experience if you have read the previous books as there some subtle hints that are alluded to in it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In summary this book is a must for any Modesitt fans and those who enjoy rich fantasy told in a sophisticated style then give this book a try.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 stars:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7.5 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MLL71XK/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Madness-Solidar-Bestselling-Imager-Portfolio-ebook/dp/B00MLL71XK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-79567088389701127162017-06-15T20:12:00.000+01:002017-06-15T20:12:33.583+01:00Soldiers' Redemption<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06WLKTY52/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Soldiers' Redemption (First Cohort Book 1) by M. R. Anthony.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A41qMedD194/WULYmYhaOyI/AAAAAAAAA74/19ACyBsaqUIp1q5_9LWK3ynS-dcCRukvgCLcBGAs/s1600/51iLKEQ2hwL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A41qMedD194/WULYmYhaOyI/AAAAAAAAA74/19ACyBsaqUIp1q5_9LWK3ynS-dcCRukvgCLcBGAs/s320/51iLKEQ2hwL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Captain Tyrus Charing and the men of the First Cohort have fought on the wrong side for as long as they can remember. They have travelled from one battle to the next at the bidding of the cruel Duke Warmont, fighting endlessly for a man they despise.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now they want something different. They want to fight for the right people and for a deserving cause. There is hope for Captain Charing and his men – a saviour has come and she needs good, loyal soldiers in order to overthrow the Duke.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the First Cohort try to pay for the sins of their past, they discover they’ve taken on far more than they could have imagined. They are unbeaten in battle, but the Duke does not care how many die, so long as he stays in power.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amongst his generals are sorcerers of great power, and an inhuman brute of callous evil, all of whom are eager to face Charing’s men.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soldiers’ Redemption is a brutal and gritty fantasy epic, about strength, bravery and an unwavering determination to beat the odds.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like tales of redemption and characters finding hope after despair, and so this book instantly drew me in.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story follows Captain Tyrus as he commands a group of 500 odd soldiers. They are called the First Cohort and are famed and feared in equal measures. They serve a tyrant called Duke Warmont, and after so long tire, from the endless killing, but they find redemption in the most unlikeliest of circumstances - a young woman, who becomes their saviour.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found the book very well written and the words flowed nicely. The author&nbsp;did a great job capturing the description, particularly the fighting scenes, which often reminded me of Roman military but thankfully less convoluted.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Captain Tyrus was a fascinating character, and shrouded in a little bit of mystery. The book was told from his point of view and you got a real sense of the conflict swirling in his mind and the sense of shame and regret of his past, but also the hope to be a better man.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admired the rapport he had with his men, it was natural and infused with leadership, and I couldn't&nbsp;help but like the character.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for the storyline I don't want to spoil it by revealing too much, other than to say,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was absolutely riveted by the book until I reached roughly 2/3 of the way in. For me the story just seemed to stall and near the end, it did seem to drag, which I thought was a shame as this book has a lot of potential.]</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was also initially confused with the start of the novel as the story seemed to be told midway through and a good chunk of information missed, eventually after reading a few chapters, I did manage to put the pieces together to form a more clearer picture.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who like a tale of redemption and a main character who is not simplistic but more profound in personality, will enjoy this book.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall - even though the book fizzles out slightly near the end - I thought this book holds a lot of promise and I will be reading the sequel.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06WLKTY52/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Redemption-First-Cohort-Book-ebook/dp/B06WLKTY52/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-88570409589328805812017-05-14T10:03:00.004+01:002017-05-14T10:03:59.551+01:00Wild Wastes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XF4TGHD?_encoding=UTF8&amp;deviceType=desktop&amp;redirect=true&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank">Wild Wastes by Randi Darren.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h2PnRpJbKeM/WRgZyJA4jwI/AAAAAAAAA3I/tAnVQAn7FgMSOsyCQQeurxC1VfZIfq-gwCLcB/s1600/51H9YlS9lbL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h2PnRpJbKeM/WRgZyJA4jwI/AAAAAAAAA3I/tAnVQAn7FgMSOsyCQQeurxC1VfZIfq-gwCLcB/s320/51H9YlS9lbL.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before world war two could reach its conclusion, the world suffered what could only be defined as a cataclysm.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Legend has it that an experiment failed. Catastrophically so. And when it failed, the center of the United States, from the Sierra Nevada to the Mississippi river became "The Waste", where everything changed.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In The Waste, every fantasy creature, fairy tale demon, or mythological monster exists. From Orcs, to Neriads, Ogres, Trolls, Wratihs, Elves, Harpies, and even Beastmen. They all exist, and all despise humankind.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the ruins of the west and east coasts new governments have arisen. With new jobs.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vince is a Ranger, a profession whose sole job duty is surviving in the waste, and taking missions from the Ranger Guild. Be it courier services, escorts, or simply exploring tombs and cities.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking up an escort mission, Vince encounters a situation that will shape his life forever onward.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as the lives of everyone in North America.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't really sure what to expect after reading the blurb. The premise of the book was different, in that it mixes a modern world with fantasy, all in a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">post-apocalyptic setting</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The centre of America has been transformed into a waste which has sprouted fantasy creatures such as elves, dwarfs, orcs etc.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our main character is Vince who is a ranger, and as the story starts he encounters a female orc who attacks him. After defeating the orc, instead of killing her, he saves her.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story then follows Vince as he befriends other supernatural creatures (mostly all female) whilst trying to prevent two kingdoms from breaking into an all out war.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I liked Vince as a main character, he wasn't an idiot or weak and made good decisions. There was an added mystery surrounding Vince's past which did leave me intrigued.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do have to warn potential readers that this book has a heavy dose sex and some violence.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall the book is a bit dungeon and dragons, which I enjoyed but I was looking for a quick entertaining read, and not anything substantial.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would say this book is more catered towards young men, but beyond the sex there is an intriguing</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;story at play which kept me interested throughout.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></h4><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Wastes-Randi-Darren-ebook/dp/B06XF4TGHD/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XF4TGHD?_encoding=UTF8&amp;deviceType=desktop&amp;redirect=true&amp;ref_=ku_mi_rw_edp" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-75088274534042888952016-12-31T19:33:00.001+00:002016-12-31T19:33:56.347+00:00Review of 2016<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Hopefully your 2016 had been a great year, if not then you got 2017 to look forward to, but in the meantime I'd like to review the year in terms of the books I've read and mention the top three standouts.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So, coming in third...</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fantasy-muse.com/2016/12/lost-soul.html" target="_blank">Lost Soul (Harbinger P.I. Book 1) by Adam J Wright.</a></span></h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fantasy-muse.com/2016/12/lost-soul.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DVotDiPNdY/WGf-0rpoVxI/AAAAAAAAAz8/z9JM9SODv2cAlX1Jm2yz4rGIDX2OEl_aACLcB/s320/Lost.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bit of a surprise for me actually to pick this book as my top 3 but I really enjoyed the simple and effective writing style, and a main character who you can actually like without the endless eye rolls</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now second place goes to....</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fantasy-muse.com/2016/12/the-russian-assassin.html" target="_blank">The Russian Assassin: A Max Austin Thriller, Book #1 by Jack Arbor.&nbsp;</a></span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fantasy-muse.com/2016/12/the-russian-assassin.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pIwUJOa9gg/WGgARuLN7WI/AAAAAAAAA0I/Z0AZSp5paiAdpBenfoFoPUKT4geUcdycwCLcB/s320/Russian.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know this blog is called <i>Fantasy Muse</i>&nbsp;but I enjoy reading other genres, especially action thrillers, and I thought this book was thoroughly entertaining and reminded me a lot of the Bourne series, not in terms of the storyline but relatable&nbsp;in regard to action, suspense and a protagonist you can root for.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And lastly my favourite book of 2016 goes to....</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fantasy-muse.com/2016/11/hell-divers.html" target="_blank">Hell Divers (The Hell Divers Trilogy Book 1) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith</a>.&nbsp;</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fantasy-muse.com/2016/11/hell-divers.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVSDh3Gdytc/WGgBFcUNAOI/AAAAAAAAA0M/sQhASg8X7twpibTcsZDx8wayEvVGyuyZwCLcB/s320/hell.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I thought back to the books I've read this year, the one that flashed immediately to my mind was Hell Diver. From the beautiful front cover to the last page, I loved how unique this book was. The story captured my imagination&nbsp;and even after finishing&nbsp;the book, my mind kept drifting&nbsp;back to the novel and I can't wait to find out what the sequel will be like.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">------------------------------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wan't to finish my last post of 2016 by wishing you a successful and fulfilling&nbsp;2017 and for me, I'm looking forward to reading books that will continue to inspire me to dream new adventures.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm ending on a few words I put together...hopefully they might have some meaning for you for the new year to come...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am fighting for my belief, my purpose. I have conviction and will as strong as an oak against the mightiest of winds, as strong as the rock against the pounding of the waves. You will not break me. You can snap every bone in my body, tear flesh out of by body, but you will not break me. This I promise. This I vow.</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fantasy Muse</span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-56748592933296329122016-12-28T18:11:00.005+00:002016-12-28T18:11:57.152+00:00Lost Soul<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BZLKQ88/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o01_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Lost Soul (Harbinger P.I. Book 1)&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">by Adam J Wright.</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BZLKQ88/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o01_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPQevqJmW7c/WGOVoOTeXOI/AAAAAAAAAzk/KKZM58HhVSg_AZKK8m1WPqTIqlcXMH6VACLcB/s320/Lost.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Syno</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">psis</span></h3><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Alec Harbinger, Preternatural Investigator</span>&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m the guy you come to when your spouse gets bitten by a werewolf, or your honey is kidnapped by a demon. I’m the guy who knows how to save your ass when an evil sorcerer casts a curse on it.</span>&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">At least, I was that guy until the Society of Shadows sent me to Dearmont, Maine, a sleepy town that had a zero rating on the supernatural occurrences scale.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My plan was to spend my days sitting in the office with nothing to do except drink coffee and eat apple bakes made by Felicity, my new assistant.</span>&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But when a woman hires me to find out if her son has been possessed by a demon at a rich kids’ party, and a young man comes to the office insisting he’s been bitten by a werewolf, Dearmont goes from zero to hero.</span>&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and did I mention that someone in the Society wants me dead?</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Time to sharpen the swords and go to work…</span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I begin, I have to admit that I didn't have any great expectations before reading this book. There seems to be a lot of urban fantasy books nowadays based on a P.I and I have to say most of them are pretty forgettable. It just seems the genre is swamped with a lot of sameness, but the book was going for free on Amazon and I thought I'd give it a go.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So here's my review...</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The story centres on Alec Harbinger, Preternatural Investigator, who works for a secret magical society, but he finds himself in their bad graces and as a result has been shunted out to Dearmont, Maine.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The book does follow the same cookie cutter formular as most other urban fantasy novels but honestly I enjoyed it.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">And there's a couple of reasons why;</span></span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main one being the main character, Alec. He wasn't the brash, overconfident type that you often find in this genre, nor was he the bumbling idiot that invariably sends you into a fit of groaning due to the stupid decisions they make. Instead&nbsp;Alec, was a strong dependable guy who had some common sense about him. He actually approached problems like someone who's competent because he does it for a living (strange concept I know).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second reason I liked the book was the simple writing style. If you're looking for elaborate, descriptive passages of text then this book is probably not going to appease you, but I liked how simple the prose was and it read easy. You know sometimes I don't want to think too much when I'm reading and just want to enjoy the story.</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If you want a quick, entertaining story based on a likeable character, then you can't go too far wrong with this book. I enjoyed it and now I'm on to the sequel.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3></div><div><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></h4><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 Stars</span></h4></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BZLKQ88/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o01_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Soul-Harbinger-P-I-Book-ebook/dp/B01BZLKQ88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482921702&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Lost+Soul+%28Harbinger+P.I.+Book+1%29+Kindle+Edition" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-5480706872426149432016-12-24T17:36:00.003+00:002016-12-24T17:36:49.466+00:00The Russian Assassin<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GZ60V8I/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=1JOIVM721P41J&amp;coliid=I1COVMHF732S1M" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Russian Assassin: A Max Austin Thriller, Book #1 </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">by Jack Arbor.</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GZ60V8I/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=1JOIVM721P41J&amp;coliid=I1COVMHF732S1M" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBh_wzF5K5w/WFKPw4huzdI/AAAAAAAAAzI/0BpwshBiavg_b85LRhwNYEa7JLsPy4OvACLcB/s320/Russian.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You can't go home again...&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Former KGB assassin Max Austin's peaceful life in Paris is shattered when his mother's imminent death brings him back to a world he only wants to forget. Before he's even unpacked his bags, a brutal act of terrorism sends Max running for his life and forces him to uncover secrets about his father's past to save his family's lives.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Max's sister and nephew become pawns in a game that started a generation ago. As Max races from the alleyways of Minsk to the tony neighborhood of Zurich, and finally to the gritty streets of Prague, he must confront his past and come to terms with his future to preserve his family name.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If you like intrigue, twists, and high-octane excitement, you'll love this tight, fast-paced adventure, starring Jack Arbor's stoic hero, ex-KGB assassin-for-hire Max Austin.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><br /> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This thriller is based on an ex-KGB assassin, Max, who on the behest of his sister, is coming home from Paris to see his dying mother but just as he arrives a bomb goes off, killing his whole family save for his sister and child.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The remainder of the novel focuses on Max as he pursues those responsible&nbsp;for his families tragedy whilst trying to uncover the reason why they were targeted.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I've read a few hitmen/assassin type books and I have to say this is one of the better ones. I enjoyed the quick, efficient&nbsp;style of Jack Arbor's writing and the story flowed easily from one plot to the next. The action scenes were well described and Arbor kept it simple, which I appreciated.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As for the main character, Max, I thought he was a superb protagonist. He was good at his job, but he wasn't infallible, and whilst I obviously&nbsp;didn't expect to see him killed off, I got some suspense on whether or not he'd be able to rescue/protect those he cared about.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Another point I liked about Max was that he wasn't narcissistic or egotistical&nbsp;- I've read my share of books where authors portray their main character's as the next coming of James Bond, which invariably involves nothing more than endless skirt chasing and posing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're into your fast paced action novels with a healthy dose of mystery then this book will be perfect for you.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Jack Arbor's a talented author who I'll be keeping an eye on.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">8 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GZ60V8I/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=1JOIVM721P41J&amp;coliid=I1COVMHF732S1M" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Russian-Assassin-Austin-Thriller-Book-ebook/dp/B01GZ60V8I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482600159&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Russian+Assassin%3A+A+Max+Austin+Thriller%2C+Book+%231+Kindle+Edition" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-6301094001983241432016-12-15T12:32:00.003+00:002016-12-15T12:32:37.321+00:00The Wolves of War<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N2NH7IL/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">The Wolves of War by Greg Curtis.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N2NH7IL/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbijcq0mBmM/WFKHQLT6BvI/AAAAAAAAAys/nDvhIRySK543-zaaKbipNRe6Aw6JIXiQQCLcB/s320/wolves.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Briagh has a secret. He's a morph. One born with the gift of changing shape. He has another secret too. He's also a thief. A genuine cat burglar.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile Elan has her own secret. Despite pretending to be a bardic warrior she's actually the Princess of Abylon. And she too has a second secret. Her entire family is mad.&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Her father and brothers are unfit to rule. Her mother is not dead as people believe. Instead she's become the psychotic wolf mother, whose pack has been killing and devouring the people of the city for a decade.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And then there's the Court and their little secret. They rule the Kingdom of Abylon even though they do not have the right.</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Secrets are useful things. They allow people like Elan and Briagh to live normal, even comfortable lives. They allow a kingdom to be governed by those who do not have the authority. They make life for the people of Abylon possible.</span>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But when their secrets are revealed, none of those things may hold. And when the wolf mother is the reason for that revelation – it may be war.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For those of you who who follow my blog will probably know that I am a huge fan of Greg Curtis. If you didn't, then you do now. I've read most of his books, and I enjoy the formular he uses in his stories - the quite, reclusive main character, shunned by society, who has talents that requires him to become a hero to his people.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I'm a sucker for those types of storylines.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Moving on to this book, the main character is&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Briagh who is a Morph, born with the ability to change shapes. He is also a thief that has a tendency to run when the going gets tough.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The other main character is Elan, Princess of Abylon. She is a fierce, strong willed woman who wants to kill all Morphs due to the tragedy that befell her family.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The storyline follows both Briagh and Elan who become involved when a crazed woman leading a pack of wolves begins to attack the city of Absynth.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I guess I had high expectations before reading this and I certainly wouldn't say I was let down but I have to admit it's not one of Curtis's best works. The storyline for me felt a little bit fanciful and did not flow as well as his other books.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I did however like the main character Briagh, he had a bit more backbone than what you usually get and was enjoyable to read. As for Elan, she had a remarkable personality (basically a psychopath) and one I won't be forgetting in a long while. It was nice to get that contrast between Briagh and Elan.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If you're fan of Greg Curtis then&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">you know what you're getting into, and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">this book naturally follows his previous novels, and whilst not his best, you still get that satisfying feel.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't read his books before then I would suggest trying his other novels first like 'The Godlost Land', 'Banshee Hunt' or 'The Lady's Man'.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h4><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;">6 Stars</span></span></h4><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N2NH7IL/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wolves-War-Greg-Curtis-ebook/dp/B01N2NH7IL/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1481803754&amp;sr=8-1-fkmr0&amp;keywords=The+Wolves+Of+War+Kindle+Edition+by+Greg+Curtis++%28Author%29" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-77642768986934607932016-12-10T10:22:00.002+00:002016-12-10T10:22:51.772+00:00Ren: The Man Behind the Monster<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016FU5K1M/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o08_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ren: The Man Behind the Monster by&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah Noffke.</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016FU5K1M/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o08_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QIOfFWrKxYM/WEvSQVyfwaI/AAAAAAAAAyU/QGMXQr2GRg8lRYCodqMpfZI_Jk4v5etywCLcB/s320/Ren.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Born with the power to control minds, hypnotize others, and read thoughts, Ren Lewis, is certain of one thing: God made a mistake. No one should be born with so much power. A monster awoke in him the same year he received his gifts. At ten years old. A prepubescent boy with the ability to control others might merely abuse his powers, but Ren allowed it to corrupt him. And since he can have and do anything he wants, Ren should be happy. However, his journey teaches him that harboring so much power doesn't bring happiness, it steals it. Once this realization sets in, Ren makes up his mind to do the one thing that can bring his tortured soul some peace. He must kill the monster.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The novel is based on Ren, who&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is part of a special race of human beings called Dream Travellers and</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;has certain abilities, such as reading thoughts, hypnosis, and controlling minds.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story follows Ren from when he's a school kid adjusting to his powers to adulthood. Let's just say life is not smooth sailing for Ren as he tries to overcome a few mighty hurdles and in the process finds himself being recruited by an organisation dedicated to battling evil.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I want to talk about the main character, Ren. I've finished the book and I still don't know what to make of him. I wouldn't say I like him as he's not really the likeable type. The author has made him very cynical, arrogant, and narcissistic,&nbsp;so to sum him up - a complete a** h***.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet I've gone on and read the 2nd and 3rd book in the series, which suggests that despite how much I dislike Ren, I still want to read more about him.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A point I found confusing was how much Ren hated himself and thought himself a monster. Yes, Ren does a lot of dubious things, but stuff I would hardly call monstrous, and yet he acts like he's the 2nd coming of Hitler (or maybe I've just got a different psycopath-ometer to everyone else).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aslo another point I found odd was how Ren thought his powers were too godly for mankind and that it was too much for anyone to bear, which left me scratching my head thinking, yes, he can read thoughts and do some hypnosis, but I'd hardly call it Superman worthy stuff.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I've said in my review, I've gone on and read the 2nd and 3rd books in the series because the story is actually quite interesting. The characters are a bit weird but the good kind of weird (I think). So, if you're looking for something more quirky than your average urban fantasy, then this will be perfect for you.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016FU5K1M/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o08_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ren-Behind-Monster-Sarah-Noffke-ebook/dp/B016FU5K1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1481364148&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Ren%3A+The+Man+Behind+the+Monster+Kindle+Edition" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-20229661558859605612016-11-26T10:21:00.000+00:002016-11-26T10:21:08.897+00:00As the Ash Fell<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WYDIE6I/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o02_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the Ash Fell&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by AJ Powers.</span></a><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WYDIE6I/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o02_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7JN0p7y2xY/WDlbmRaz6hI/AAAAAAAAAx4/PEDWGUXeLvgahY1Hijd3vjZykrhYMvb1ACLcB/s320/41sAEmE4I1L.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life in the frozen wastelands of Texas is anything but easy, but for Clay Whitaker there is always more at stake than mere survival.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yellowstone, along with two other Super Volcanoes, exploded with a tremendous fury following months of heightened seismic activity worldwide. The devastating eruptions released unmeasurable quantities of ash into the atmosphere. Coastlines were changed. New canyons were formed. Temperatures plummeted, dragging economies down, too. With no real way to sustain order, governments around the world began to fold, societies collapsed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s been seven years since the ash rained down from the sky. Populations are thinning. Food is scarce. Despair overwhelming. Clay and his sister Megan have taken a handful of orphaned children into their home—a home soaring 16 stories into the sky. Providing for his adopted family is a 24/7 job for Clay. And with roughly six short months a year to gather enough food and supplies to last the long, brutal winter, Clay is forced to spend much of his time away from home—scavenging, hunting, and bartering.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the vicious, unforgiving world he lives in, Clay has grown accustomed to his new life. That is, until he meets Kelsey Lambert.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, with winter rolling in earlier than ever, Clay must swiftly adapt to the changes in his life to ensure the safety of those he cares about.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review&nbsp;</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I always like a good post-apocalyptic&nbsp;novel, I don't know why, it's not like I want the world to come to an end but I enjoy reading about the creativity, the bravery and hardship that follow these types of novels. Sometimes I can't help but picture what I'd do if faced with a horde of zombies coming my way...... I'd probably trip my family up and use them as bait while I escape.</i></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Fantasy Muse&nbsp;</i></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the Ash Fell is based on Clay as he and his sister struggle to provide for their family of 10 orphans, yes that's right <b><i>10 orphans!</i></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story follows Clay's day-to-day involvement as he interacts with various groups of people some friendly, others not so much, as well as how fights to protect his family. Another dimension's added when Clay stumbles upon Kelsey and her daughter as they are about to be attacked by murderous thugs and of course or hero can't let that happen.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know what, I rather enjoyed the book and I liked the characterisation of Clay and Kelsey. They both grew as the book progressed. Yes, Clay was a bit too saintly for my preference&nbsp;but it was never eye rolling stuff. I thought the story was</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;well</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;written and the author made things simple, he didn't try to overelaborate when describing action scenes which made it flow more easily.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did also appreciate that Clay was not disguised as Rambo, he was vulnerable and (to my slight frustration) got his share of beatings, but his courage and sense of virtue proved to be his strength.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only negative I would say, and it is only a slight one, is that I thought there was too much emphasis&nbsp;on the romantic&nbsp;side of things and at times it felt more like a romance novel, but hey in a world where someone will kill you over a can of tuna, you need some love.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very good dystopian novel about hope, survival, and the importance of family in such a desolate world.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not your typical macho-alpha male book that describes in endless pages about this gun or that one, s</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">o if you're pasionately into your guns and action then you proably won't enjoy this book as much, if however you want to read about</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;a tale of human endevours and the values people hold in times of bleak despair, then give this book a try.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WYDIE6I/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o02_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/As-Ash-Fell-AJ-Powers-ebook/dp/B00WYDIE6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1480154096&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=As+the+Ash+Fell+Kindle+Edition" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-59994823866422333862016-11-20T11:24:00.002+00:002016-11-20T11:24:54.563+00:00Hell Divers<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BW6CG1Q/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o09_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Hell Divers (The Hell Divers Trilogy Book 1) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith.</a>&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BW6CG1Q/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o09_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UD0Kz1Awk4s/WCh_W_2tbKI/AAAAAAAAAxY/1-Bm2GH9acIt9rgzfzTaQgSwOe61vgcEQCLcB/s320/hell.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">More than two centuries after World War III poisoned the planet, the final bastion of humanity lives on massive airships circling the globe in search for a habitable area to call home. Aging and outdated, most of the ships plummeted back to earth long ago. The only thing keeping the two surviving lifeboats in the sky are Hell Divers: men and women who risk their lives by diving to the surface to scavenge for parts the ships desperately need.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When one of the remaining airships is damaged in an electrical storm, a Hell Diver team is deployed to a hostile zone called Hades. But there’s something down there that’s far worse than the mutated creatures discovered on dives in the past—something that threatens the fragile future of humanity.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">From just looking at the cover and reading the title I knew this book was going to be special, and my gut feeling did not let me down.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The book is set in a post-apocalyptic world where earth having been ravaged by nuclear attacks have left it in a permanent state of toxic radiation and electrical storms. Humanity are on the very brink of extinction and all who remain reside inside two airships that hover above the storm clouds.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But the problem is that the airships need fuel to run and the only the way to get it is by going back to ground and so in</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;order for depleting resources to be replenished it requires brave individuals willing to venture beyond the electric storm clouds and descend upon a toxic earth, and these individuals are better known as - Hell Divers.</span><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In terms of the beginning chapters, I'm struggling to think of a book that instantly packed such adrenalin filled action and excitement than this book. I don't think I had time to breath during the 1st chapter because I was so hooked on the suspense and anticipation of the Hell Divers as they jumped down to Earth.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The story focused on the main protagonist, Xavier, or X for short, who performed more dives than any other person. The average lifespan for a Hell Diver is about 15 dives and X has completed 95 jumps. He is a tough, resilient&nbsp;character but at the same time showed tremendous loyalty to his people. In a nutshell he's my kind of main character.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I thought the premise of the book was unique (for me at least) and I really enjoyed the world that the author created. Smith writes in simple but effective words that easily paints what's happening. I really enjoyed the tension he imbued when describing the mutated creatures that live on the ground.</span><br /><br /> <h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If you want to enjoy an action packed post-apocalyptic novel with a unique/interesting concept then this book is a must. One of the best opening intros that I've read for a long, long time.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Just read the books sample to understand what I mean.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">8 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hell-Divers-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B01BW6CG1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1479640884&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Hell+Divers+%28The+Hell+Divers+Trilogy+Book+1%29+Kindle+Edition" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BW6CG1Q/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o09_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-78837704867571752652016-07-23T13:18:00.001+01:002016-07-23T13:18:55.829+01:00Bullet Rain<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KHLOIGY/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Bullet Rain - A Nova Bartkowski Novel (Holly Lin Series) by Robert Swartwood</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KHLOIGY/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A661I4IA0OQ/V4u4jr2paHI/AAAAAAAAAvs/MeeQlAWaNzAcYMPcIwL90D6OaE_Q30oVQCLcB/s320/Bullet.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Nova is a free man. Having just walked away as a non-sanctioned hit man for the U.S. government, he's purchased a classic Mustang to drive across the country. But when his car breaks down in the middle of the Nevada desert, Nova ends up in the small town of Parrot Spur. There's something strange about Parrot Spur. Something ... off. Maybe it's the fact the town is full of ex-servicemen. Maybe it's the fact the abandoned mine might not be abandoned. Maybe it’s the fact the knockout brunette in the bar is clearly more than what she seems. In the end, none of it matters. What matters — and what Nova is soon going to learn — is that in the desert, the only thing that rains is bullets.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I do love a good action/thriller book, and I was - probably still am - a huge fan of the Jack Reacher books before Lee Child seemed to lose his way, and so every now and again I like to find a good action/thriller novel.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The story is about Nova, a recent ex-government hit man, who is on his way to California when the tires to his newly bought Mustang blows up. Stuck in the middle of Nevada, the closest place nearby is a small town called Parrot Spur, but something is not quite right with the threadbare town.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There is also another character called Jessica, a young woman, who is also a stranger to Parrot Spur but has her own reasons for being there.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This is an action packed, fast paced book that I finished in one sitting. The story has enough pull to it that keeps hooked to it from start to finish.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The central character, Nova, is everything you want in a hero, but more importantly (for me) has a toned down sense of morals, which adds a bit grit to the book, as there's nothing more I dislike than the good guy being a saint.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The other character, Jessica, wasn't entirely the damsel in distress, she did need saving - at times - but her personality was strong and she wasn't timid in the face of danger.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I did mention Reacher at the beginning of this post, and there are some comparisons, mostly in the short, crisp writing style, and riveting action scenes, but I wouldn't yet put it in the same class as Reacher (the early books that is). However, there's no shame in that as many authors place Lee Child's works as the benchmark for their own books.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Fans of action/thriller, who are looking for something quick to read and like their hero to be more greyer than white, will enjoy this book.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">**I should add that there is an earlier book in the series, which I was unaware of before I read Bullet Rain, and there are hints to some of the characters in the 1st, but there was never any confusing points in the story and for me this book can be read entirely as a stand alone. However, saying that, it'd probably be more&nbsp;beneficial&nbsp;to start with book 1 No Shelter (A Holly Lin&nbsp;Novel).**</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: orange; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>8 Stars</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KHLOIGY/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bullet-Rain-Bartkowski-Novel-Holly-ebook/dp/B00KHLOIGY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8#nav-subnav" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-84428919838969455632016-07-14T20:09:00.001+01:002016-07-14T20:09:58.766+01:00The Devil's Mouth<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FSUNRAQ/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Devil's Mouth (Alex Rains, Vampire Hunter Book 1) by Matt Kincade</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FSUNRAQ/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXrQ6Y_Fab0/V4aMhTR6x_I/AAAAAAAAAvM/yfFvrWIqfZI8387e59jJxu4eJHRVvKULACLcB/s320/Vamp.jpg" width="206" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The only things Alex Rains cares about are rock ’n’ roll, classic cars, and killing vampires—that is, until he meets Carmen, a tough-as-nails cop who's hot on the trail of her missing little sister.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When the two join forces, they leave a trail of corpses across the desert as they race against the clock, hunting an ancient evil that’s preyed on the migrants of the American Southwest since the time of the Spanish conquest.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">While Alex leads Carmen deeper into the deadly, secret world of vampire hunters and their quarry, a romance blooms that neither of them expected. But when it all goes wrong, Alex is forced to make a grueling choice.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">An action-horror thriller from author Matt Kincade, The Devil’s Mouth is an adrenaline-fueled ride through the dark underbelly of America: a warped landscape of old motels, seedy roadhouse bars, and monsters lurking in the night.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I'm always a sucker (no pun intended) for a good vampire book and I wasn't disappointed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The main protagonist is called Alex Rains who is a vampire hunter, and whilst tracking a vampire, he stumbles/saves a cop called Carmen, who is trying to find her missing sister.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The remainder of the book is spent trying to find her younger sister and along the way they deal with more vampires and their growing relationship.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I liked the main character Alex, he was an interesting person who had no special abilities but managed to more than hold his own against the vampires. His personality was quirky and I found him easily likeable. Simply put he's type of person I wouldn't mind hanging out with.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The main character, Carmen - the tough female cop - I wasn't so sure on. She said all the right things, did all the right things, but I was still left a bit unsure of her.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In terms of the plot, it flowed from one scene to the other seamlessly, and there was a twist in the story near the end that I admittedly did not see coming - it changed &nbsp;the whole dynamics of the book and future books to come. Truth be told I don't think it changed for the better, but that's just my opinion.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There is a healthy dash of romance between the two main characters which I thought added little to the plot, but, saying that, near the end -&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">due to the plot twist - their relationship sprouted an extra dimension to it, which does set it up nicely for the sequel.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A very well written urban vampire book that fans of the genre will enjoy. There is nothing new here, except for being a very well written story, from a talented author, who I am certainly going to keep an eye out for and very much looking forward to the sequel.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: orange; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>8 Stars</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FSUNRAQ/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Amazon UK</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Mouth-Rains-Vampire-Hunter-ebook/dp/B01FSUNRAQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Amazon US</span></a></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-84398741125786602462016-07-10T17:52:00.002+01:002016-07-10T17:52:46.830+01:00The Dragon of Time<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragon-Time-Gods-Dragons-ebook/dp/B013C6A16G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468168948&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Dragon+of+Time%3A+Gods+and+Dragons+by+Aaron+Dennis" target="_blank">The Dragon of Time: Gods and Dragons by Aaron Dennis </a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragon-Time-Gods-Dragons-ebook/dp/B013C6A16G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468168948&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Dragon+of+Time%3A+Gods+and+Dragons+by+Aaron+Dennis" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zVDbOykYF8/V3lXFL2yzLI/AAAAAAAAAu0/4tbXltW60SExWjpuxc4Tf0iv8V4wr-wBQCLcB/s320/dragon.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In a world where Dragons pose as Gods, one man with no past unearths their lies in the ruined kingdom of Alduheim.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Scar, the mercenary, seeks only answers, but those who hold sway in the world of Tiamhaal would have him fight for lies. After defeating a man who claims he follows the real Gods, Scar grows even more curious of his origins.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Is he truly this King Brandt of Alduheim? Were the Dragons really killed at the site of the old kingdom? And if so, how can they possibly be influencing the leaders of Tiamhaal?</span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The premise of the book is based on a warrior who has lost his memories and is trying to find out his past. Along the way he discover more about himself and who he is.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I found the start of the book to be rather slow and I wasn't instantly hooked. There just seemed to be too many names thrown in and I did get confused, but t</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">he story did pick up halfway through and I got the sense that the author grew into the novel both in terms of writing, world building and characterisation. Interestingly, the book reminded me a lot of greek mythology when it came to gods, goddesses and heroes.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For a self published novel I found the book without any typos of spelling mistakes and generally well edited.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I recommend this book for those who are interested in greek mythology but I do feel this author is still growing into his craft and so as a result the book feels more akin to a rough diamond than a polished one.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h4><span style="background-color: white; color: orange; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">5 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragon-Time-Gods-Dragons-ebook/dp/B013C6A16G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468168948&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Dragon+of+Time%3A+Gods+and+Dragons+by+Aaron+Dennis" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Time-Gods-Dragons-ebook/dp/B013C6A16G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468169139&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Dragon+of+Time%3A+Gods+and+Dragons+by+Aaron+Dennis" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-30535116154066283782016-05-14T10:50:00.002+01:002016-05-14T10:50:27.144+01:00Strong Convictions: An Emmett Strong Western<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong Convictions: An Emmett Strong Western (Emmett Strong Westerns Book 1) by</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;GP Hutchinson &nbsp;(Author)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strong-Convictions-Emmett-Western-Westerns-ebook/dp/B00TPZMQM6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1463218379&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=Strong+Convictions%3A+An+Emmett+Strong+Western+%28Emmett+Strong+Westerns+Book+1%29" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdpHtSDg9J0/VzboFQpUvPI/AAAAAAAAAuA/Anrmjg403k0frGMSrLz7e1hTuOVLzIU3ACLcB/s320/51NEpbjLB8L._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 1876 the seemingly impossible happened in San Antonio, Texas--Emmett Strong, a prodigy of a pistolero, accidentally shot his own young wife in a showdown gone awry.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Five years later, death again visits Emmett's family. And now, want to or not, he's going to have to overcome his reluctance to draw his six-gun if he's to catch and bring to justice the crazed gunman who murdered his brother. The pursuit of his brother's killer takes him all the way to Nevada's Comstock country where the assassin has taken refuge with rich and powerful kin.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among the many unforeseen situations Emmett encounters in Nevada is forbidden love when he falls for Li Xu, the fascinating daughter of Chinese immigrants. But before the relationship has time to bloom, Li Xu disappears--kidnapped &nbsp;along with five other young women.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can Emmett afford to leave off the chase of his brother's murderer to search for and rescue the women? Can he afford not to? With success hanging on quick thinking and quick shooting, can he take one last shot at both love and retribution?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't read many westerns. It's not that I don't like them, it's just that I find it hard to find <b><i>my</i></b> type of western. And if you ask me what that is, I'd struggle to tell you....hmmm.. that's probably why I don't read many westerns.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, after not reading one for a year or so, I was in the mood to read about a good ol' fashioned gunslinger, and after trawling Amazon for days looking for the right book, I finally found it -&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Strong Convictions: An Emmett Strong Western.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book opens up with Emmett Strong losing his wife, not by anyone else's hand, but more tragically by his own. And that opening chapter almost instantly drew me in and left me wanting more.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then after a few years later, Emmet, now a Texas Ranger, loses another loved one, this time it's his brother. The story then follows Emmett, as he tracks down his brother's killer, along with the aid of his brother-in-law, Juanito, and an&nbsp;Englishman&nbsp;called Sikes.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to say, I really enjoyed this book and it was quite an informative read for me to see how the wild&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">west was in 1876. The author touches upon the treatment of women, races, and slavery. You get a real sense of how harsh it was during those times.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GP Hutchinson paints a broad picture&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in vivid words</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when he describes the surroundings from Texas to California. I could close my eyes and imagine myself riding through one of those dusty, western towns.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought the charters were well written and Emmet, is a strong, stoic gunslinger, but is suffering from the tragedy of shooting his wife, and you get to see indecision and self-doubt plague him, which I thought was good, as it showed he wasn't invulnerable.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is romance in this novel, which truthfully I thought was a bit superficial, and didn't seem believable&nbsp;to me, but I'm glad it wasn't the eye-rolling sappiness&nbsp;you often come&nbsp;across nowadays.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a very well written western that paints an alluring&nbsp;picture of 1876 California. I'd&nbsp;recommend&nbsp;this&nbsp;book to those who wish to escape to a different time and place, with a hero you can root for and&nbsp;villains&nbsp;you can jeer at.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><i>7 Stars</i></span></span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Buy it here:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strong-Convictions-Emmett-Western-Westerns-ebook/dp/B00TPZMQM6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1463218379&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=Strong+Convictions%3A+An+Emmett+Strong+Western+%28Emmett+Strong+Westerns+Book+1%29" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Convictions-Emmett-Western-Westerns-ebook/dp/B00TPZMQM6/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&amp;dpID=51NEpbjLB8L&amp;dpSrc=sims&amp;preST=_UX300_PJku-sticker-v3%2CTopRight%2C0%2C-44_OU01_AC_UL320_SR214%2C320_&amp;refRID=PJ7XJZXM5NVF47A4J579" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-33814440535477131482016-05-01T10:16:00.004+01:002016-05-01T10:16:50.425+01:00Radiance<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Radiance-Wraith-Kings-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00S5IDLEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1460804155&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Radiance+%28Wraith+Kings+Book+1%29+by+Grace+Draven." target="_blank"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Radiance (Wraith Kings Book 1) by&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Grace Draven.</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Radiance-Wraith-Kings-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00S5IDLEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1460804155&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Radiance+%28Wraith+Kings+Book+1%29+by+Grace+Draven." target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xeX8KWR_MA/VxIaUVRErII/AAAAAAAAAs4/5hnY1LoW5HkMxls4gHORRkkI0mXHhn6WwCLcB/s320/515THi%252B7A7L._SX359_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">~THE PRINCE OF NO VALUE~&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, has lived content as the nonessential spare heir to a throne secured many times over. A trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis requires that he marry a Gauri woman to seal the treaty. Always a dutiful son, Brishen agrees to the marriage and discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">~THE NOBLEWOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE~&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, has always known her only worth to the royal family lay in a strategic marriage. Resigned to her fate, she is horrified to learn that her intended groom isn’t just a foreign aristocrat but the younger prince of a people neither familiar nor human. Bound to her new husband, Ildiko will leave behind all she’s known to embrace a man shrouded in darkness but with a soul forged by light.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Two people brought together by the trappings of duty and politics will discover they are destined for each other, even as the powers of a hostile kingdom scheme to tear them apart.&nbsp;</span></span></span></blockquote><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The story is a bit like Romeo and Juliet, in that you have two sets of people who have an extreme dislike/fear of each other.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">On one side there is the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Gauri, who are basically humans, and then on the other side are the Kai, who are similar to humans, but have grey skin, claws and are more&nbsp;animalistic&nbsp;in their nature. Both sets of people however are seeking an alliance to defend themselves against a mutual enemy, and what better way then unifying the two kingdoms through marriage. Enter the Gauri King's orphaned niece,</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;Idiko,</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;and the 2nd son&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">of the Kai King,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">prince&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Brishen.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I thought the opening chapter was compelling, and instantly drew me into what was a brilliant fantasy romance book. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Idiko, the niece, and Brishen, the prince, instantly developed a believable connection between each other, and despite how ugly they found each other, both characters infused light hearted humour into their relationship which I enjoyed reading.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I did fear this book would turn into one of those cliche romantic books, where there's plot twists only to drive the (eye-rolling) romance between the characters, however, the author managed to get the right blend between the romance and fantasy, with some interesting plot ideas.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Overall I enjoyed the storyline, just as much as the two main characters, who both felt real and relatable. I could actually envision their interaction in my mind, something that I can't say too often about when I read romantic fantasy novels.</span><br /><br /> <h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So, if romance is not your thing, then you still might want to give this book a try, as there is other aspects to this story, such as action, political scheming and magic.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But if you do enjoy a healthy dose of romance in your fantasy, then I can't recommend this book highly enough.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><h4><span style="color: orange; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">8 Stars</span></h4><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Buy it here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Radiance-Wraith-Kings-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00S5IDLEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1460804155&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Radiance+%28Wraith+Kings+Book+1%29+by+Grace+Draven." target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Radiance-Wraith-Kings-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00S5IDLEQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7573501196988278099.post-79296472910056852592016-01-17T18:24:00.000+00:002016-01-17T18:24:01.294+00:00Broken City (This Fallen World Book 2)<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-City-This-Fallen-World-ebook/dp/B018HQEGN0/ref=la_B00PEAG6WM_1_1?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452940264&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broken City (This Fallen World Book 2) by&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christopher Woods</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Front Cover</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-City-This-Fallen-World-ebook/dp/B018HQEGN0/ref=la_B00PEAG6WM_1_1?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452940264&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WtgM2YiUX9M/VpocOTbCUHI/AAAAAAAAAq4/C_KcHawobY8/s320/41EppuAh3XL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis</span></h3><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mathew Kade has taken cases to find missing people many times. He's taken cases to find items lost during the Fall of civilization after the Corporate Wars. He's investigated murders and thefts. But the search for a serial killer in the tunnels under a broken city might be the strangest case he's taken. With the help of a couple of Squires from the Society of the Sword, he is in pursuit of a deadly person who has been killing for more than twenty five years. Looks like Kade has his work cut out for him.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Review</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can find my review of the first book - This Fallen World - <a href="http://www.fantasy-muse.com/2015/10/this-fallen-world.html" target="_blank">here</a>. In terms of the first book I thought it was fantastic and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hoped (prayed in fact) that Woods would do a sequel and lo-and-behold he has.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I normally don't read short books (less than 100 pages). In fact I really don't like short stories. But the first book was so, so, good I didn't care if it was only 10 pages long, I had to get more of the world Christopher Woods created and of the main character Mathew Kade - who is the definition of badass!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the sequel, we learn more of the main character Kade, and also the post-apocalyptic&nbsp;world he inhabits.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The storyline follows Kade as he investigates a series of gruesome murders where the victims have been torn apart.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are some fascinating and twisted&nbsp;concepts Woods created in his post-apocalyptic&nbsp;world and I loved it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The writing is succinct and to the point, which may deter some away, like those who prefer more&nbsp;embellishment&nbsp;in their prose, but for me I found it perfect. Most times I like to read scenes where I'm not swimming in flowery description and dialogue&nbsp;which go on forever. Don't get me wrong some novels need that level of&nbsp;description just to make sense of the story but this book is&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;not that type.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you like the idea of a main character who is basically Rambo, Chuck Norris, and Mad Marx rolled into one then this series is for you.</span><br /><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of 10 Stars:</span></h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 Stars</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Buy it here:</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-City-This-Fallen-World-ebook/dp/B018HQEGN0/ref=la_B00PEAG6WM_1_1?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452940264&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-City-This-Fallen-World-ebook/dp/B018HQEGN0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>Fantasy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453550299126137031noreply@blogger.com2